Sky Bet Horse Racing

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Welcome to our review of the popular Sky Bet horse racing betting site carried out in March 2024.

We have reviewed Sky Bet to bring you the current bonuses, info and top features from this leading UK bookmaker.

Join us as we explore Sky Bet, a popular choice for online horse racing betting. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the entire Sky Bet website to help you decide if it’s the right online betting account for you.

Sky Bet, sometimes styled as SkyBet, is one of the many options available for those interested in online horse racing betting. While Sky UK is famous for its TV, music, and film services, it’s essential to note that the gambling arm is operated by a different company. This means you can bet on horse racing with Sky Bet without needing a Sky entertainment package.

Whether you’re new to betting or a seasoned punter, let’s explore the features that make Sky Bet a popular choice in the world of online sports betting.

SkyBet Horse Racing Free Bet Bonus

If you are looking to wager bets on horse racing the Sky Bet welcome bonus is an amazing deposit of £5 and get £30 free.

Sky Bet Horse Racing BET 5 GET 30 FREE
Sky Bet Horse Racing

NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. 5P MINIMUM STAKE. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. #AD 18+. BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG

Full T&C's Apply

The £30 free horse racing bet was recently voted in March 2024 as being one of the best horse racing betting sites with welcome bonuses.

How does the Sky Bet bonus code compare with other offers?

Check out our comparison of Skybet vs the biggest bookmakers’ sign-up offers.

Skybet vs Bet365

The main difference between SkyBet and bet365 is the sign up offers and existing betting promotions at bet365.com are a lot higher.

Bet365 offer a £50 free bet bonus for new customers, while skybet sign up offer is only £20 in comparison.

A big difference between the two betting giants is bet365 provide higher maximum payout limits than Skybet and also faster withdrawal payouts at bet365.com.

Skybet vs Paddy Power

The main difference between SkyBet and Paddy Power is you can unlock a £20 free bet from just an initial £5 wager at Skybet. Paddy Power has a nice welcome bonus offer but it isn’t quite as valuable, or as easy to obtain as Skybet’s.

Skybet and Paddy Power are owned by Flutter Entertainment plc and provide similar odds and betting promotions for existing customers. Flutter Entertainment brands are always coming up with awesome promotions for existing players. They are well-known for players being able to lock-in cashback rewards, free bets, and extra deposit boosts.

Skybet vs Betfair

The main difference between SkyBet and Betfair is betfair’s new customer sign up offer is superior with the bet 10 get 30 free bet bonus, as opposed to Skybet’s bet 5 get 20 bonus.

Skybet and Betfair are owned by Flutter Entertainment plc and provide similar odds and betting promotions for existing customers. Flutter Entertainment brands are always coming up with awesome promotions for existing players. They are well-known for players being able to lock-in cashback rewards, free bets, and extra deposit boosts.

Skybet vs William Hill

The main difference between SkyBet and William Hill is punters prefer William Hill’s deposit methods which allow skrill and neteller payments from prepaid cards.

UK horse racing punters concluded that William Hill is better than Sky Bet for being a safer and more reputable brand to place bets on, due to the visibility of the betting shops on the high streets throughout the United Kingdom.

Skybet vs Betfred

The main difference between SkyBet and Betfred is Betfred’s sign up offer for new customers is far superior with a bet 10 get 60 free bet bonus.

Betfred was voted a better betting brand in comparison to Skybet because of the reputation and visibility of seeing a Betfred betting shop in most towns throughout the UK.

Overview of the Sky Bet Website and Brand

Sky Bet was formed in 2001, under the same branding as Rupert Murdoch’s multimedia empire.

The brand started out by purchasing a small, independent bookmaker called Surrey Sports, and added a business called the UK Betting to their ranks – widely considered the first-ever online gambling website. They also quickly added Total bet and a raft of other sites to the Sky family.

After that, Sky betting was heavily advertised and promoted on the company’s TV channels and became one of the major players in the online gambling market.

In 2014 though, a Canadian business named CVC Capital Partners (registered in the UK as Bonne Terre Limited) became the majority shareholder in Sky Bet. This is worth noting, as it will become apparent later this has led to mixed fortunes.

As far as a gambling website goes, Sky Bet is among one of the best horse betting sites around in terms of layout and accessibility.

It’s easy to find what you’re looking for and to place a bet, whether this is on a horse race or any of the other wide and varied events covered by the Sky bet sportsbook, and you’ll be provided with an online bet slip that confirms your wage.

Sky Bet Welcome Offer & Sign-Up Free Bet

With so many websites on the market vying for your online bets, it’s important to learn what welcome bonuses Sky betting can provide. Winning after using your own cash for stakes is sweeter, but winning on the back of free bet stakes or boosted odds is even better.

Sky offers many offers for free bets, as free bets are extremely popular with new and existing customers. Many betting sites offer free bets, so make sure to check out other betting deals!

Free bets at Sky can be used on a range of amazing horse racing events, such as the Cheltenham Festival!

New Sky betting customers are entitled to £20 in free bets once they place their first £5 wager on a horse race, or any other kind of sporting event, regardless of the odds.

These free bets do not expire, though as always, Ts and Cs apply when cashing in a free bet. Make sure you’re aware of any free bet stakes.

Wagering Requirements

The minimum deposit to your Sky account is £5 unless you’re using PayPal betting – in this instance, it increases to £10.

To get these current free bets to offer, you have to place a £5 minimum bet.

New customers can use the free bets on popular races, such as Grand National events and the Cheltenham festival, terms apply.

Ongoing Promotions & Sky Bet Offers

Regularly check in with Sky Bet for the latest promotions – this provider often boosts odds, so if you make a qualifying bet you may bolster how much you’re able to win.

The markets are constantly changing, as are odds and stakes, so keep an eye out for a potential bonus.

Naturally, Sky Bet market its promotions to customers through email and text messages.

Loyalty Promotions & Sky Bet Player Rewards

Customers that enjoy their Sky Bet experience can sign up for the Sky Bet Club. This is a loyalty scheme that provides £5 in free bets once stakes of £25 or more are wagered in a week.

These free bets can be placed on any sport, including horse racing.

Other promotions and bonus offers will also be made available to Sky Bet Club members. These vary and are usually not revealed ahead of time. As with any act of gambling, you pay your money and take your chances.

Events to Bet On – Sky Bet Sports Markets

In addition to horse racing, Sky Bet welcomes betting on the following sports markets.

  • Athletics
  • American Football
  • Australian Rules Football (Aussie Rules)
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Bowls
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Cycling
  • Darts
  • eSports
  • Football (national leagues, overseas leagues and international tournaments)
  • Formula One and other Motorsports
  • Golf
  • Greyhound Racing
  • Handball
  • Ice Hockey
  • MMA
  • Netball
  • Pro and Amateur Wrestling
  • Rugby Union and Rugby League (national leagues and international tournaments)
  • Snooker
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Winter Sports

Sky Bet also offers to bet on novelty events, such as politics, music, Tote placepot and TV or film.

Here are all articles related to the market-leading UK skybet bookmaker:

Sky Bets offers the rule range of popular horse racing bet types.

You can stake a wager on an outright win, hedge your bets with each way betting by studying the form, or amass an accumulator based on numerous runners at races across the country.

This can be the best way to use your betting funds, mixing and matching between a favourite and less popular runners to gain the best value on your odds.

You can bet on popular horse racing events, such as the Grand National with Sky.

Mobile Betting & Sky Bet Sports App

Sky Bet has a mobile betting app that is every bit as user-friendly as the website.

If you like to do your betting on the move, whether that’s on horse racing or any other sport, the app is worth a download.

Always remember to gamble responsibly. Contact the national gambling helpline if you are struggling to stop. Check what terms apply for any special offers, such as free bets.

Does Sky Bet Offer In-Play Betting?

In-play betting is one of the biggest strengths of Sky.

The site tracks statistics throughout an event (though, unless you’re betting on horse racing, you won’t be able to watch it live) and you can cash out your bets if you wish.

Naturally, the odds of a horse race or match will also fluctuate based on what is occurring. Keep an eye on your bet slip and pick the best moment to act.

Does Sky Bet Offer Live Streaming?

The Sky Bet live streaming service has drastically been reduced, but you can still watch horse racing or through the website or app – albeit for a fee.

This may seem a bit bizarre seeing as Sky TV is synonymous with sport in this nation, but the betting arm is not affiliated with the entertainment business.

Can you Cash Out on Sky Bet?

On some bets on Sky, you can cash out. It is best to check the terms and conditions before placing a bet, as this can change.

Always check gaming general promotion terms.

Payment Methods & Depositing with Sky Bet

Sky Bet offer a number of ways to make a deposit into your account. The following sources of funds and betting payment types are all accepted by Sky Bet:

  • Debit card
  • Pre-paid MasterCard (betting with an active credit card is against the rules, as it is illegal in the UK)
  • PayPal

Check the rules and regulations on the website to ensure that your betting stake entitles you to any bonus, such as a free bet or enhanced odds, that you are hoping for.

You won’t get your money back on a stake if you don’t feel that is getting appropriate value for your outlay as you did not read the small print and made a non-qualifying bet.

Can you deposit on Sky Bet with PayPal?

Paypal is accepted at Sky Bet.

On the webpage, go to ‘Deposit Funds’ then fill in the amount you’d like to deposit. Select ‘Deposit Funds Now’ from the drop-down menu.

You’ll be sent to a PayPal screen, where you’ll be asked to enter your email address (if you’re using PayPal for the first time) and your PayPal password.

You’ll be led to a ‘Review Your Payment’ screen where you’ll see the payment details.

To complete the transaction, click ‘Pay Now.’

For more PayPal accepting betting sites, check out our guide.

Withdrawal Options

If you win big with Sky, you’ll be keen to claim your cash as quickly as possible.

Typically, your withdrawal will need to be made using the same source as your deposit.

If you bank with Barclays or Nationwide, give serious consideration to betting using your debit card. These banks promise to get you your funds in a matter of hours. Anybody else will likely need to wait a few days, at least for now.

Who Owns Sky Bet?

As discussed, Sky Betting is not owned by a national media company of the same name. It’s one of many companies the Sky trademarks operate under. The Sky logo that is so omnipresent is used under licence.

Sky online bets are owned and operated by CVC Capital Partners, trading in the UK as Bonne Terre Limited.

Do not expect to receive any additional free bets, betting offers, odds boost or a bonus on your betting because your spend three figures on Sky TV and broadband – they are entirely separate legal and corporate entities, despite the likes of Jamie Carragher and Jeff Stelling featuring prominently in Sky Bet advertising.

Licensing

Sky Bets is licensed to offer betting services online by the UK Gambling Commission.

The license number for Sky Bet is 038718 if you run into any issues with your bets or make a withdrawal.

Make sure you gamble responsibly and within your means. Contact the national gambling helpline if you are struggling to manage your finances or time, due to gambling.

Software

Sky Bet plays its cards close to its chest with it comes to discussing the software used on its website and app.

The software designers and coders are simply referred to as the “Sky Bet Gaming Team.”

I Have Heard Mixed Reviews About Sky Bet?

OK, let’s address the elephant in the room.

Ever since CVC Capital Partners took ownership of Sky Bet, the brand has suffered a series of hits to its reputation.

It’s not our place to say whether Sky Bet acts in a moral manner – we’re here to provide information, not judgment, and our personal experience in placing bets with this brand has been positive.

All the same, we do advise a quick Google and reading up on the experiences of other customers that have used Sky Bet in recent years. Whether betting on horse racing, football or any sport, it’s safe to say that this brand has had ups and downs.

As always, it’s a matter of personal choice as to whether you use Sky Bet or place your bets through another new betting site.

We just recommend that customers use this service with all the information at their disposal. Online gambling is all fun and games until you don’t receive your payout.

This hobby is called gambling for a reason, so there are no guarantees. You’ll want to ensure that you get at least a fighting chance of making your money back on your bets, though.

Value is in the eye of the beholder, but customers should only open an online betting account with a brand they trust.

Sky Bet Customer Support

Sky Bet offers a variety of ways for customers to get in touch. There is no generic Contact Us form to fill in, but you’ll have access to a live chat facility or telephone number, as well as access to the company Twitter account and Facebook Messenger. Alternatively, just email [email protected].

As always though, asking a question in a public forum like Twitter is the likeliest to gain a quick response!

If you use Sky Bet, you’re unlikely to need support in locating stakes, odds, rules of the site or other basic necessities to play the betting market.

The site is very well paid out

Does Sky Bet Support Self-Exclusion?

This is one of the areas in that Sky Bet has a murky reputation. Sky Bet has been forced to make several payouts in compensation to gamblers that have self-excluded due to actions that were deemed inappropriate.

The brand has continued to send betting offers to punters that have been attempting to cool off and take a break from gambling, allowed problem gamblers to open multiple accounts (strictly against the rules of most bookmakers), and even banned self-excluded customers from making a withdrawal after a winning bet.

If you have any reason to be worried about your gambling, Sky Bet is probably best avoided. Do not pay the price for a corporate mentality that appears to place priority on profits over the welfare of its customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a Sky TV customer to gamble with Sky Bet?

No you don’t need to be a Sky customer to use Sky Bet.

Although it shares iconography and branding with affiliated companies, the Sky Bet brand is a completely independent service to Sky TV, owned and operated by a different company.

Your ability to bet on a horse race is not reliant on spending money on TV channels.

Can you watch horse racing on Sky Bet?

Sky Bet offers live streaming of horse racing for a fee.

If you want to watch how another sporting event, such as a football match, is unfolding to see if your bet is likely to win, you’ll need to find somewhere with Sky TV.

Can you put a placepot on Sky Bet?

Yes, Sky Bet accepts a placepot wager on any race in the UK, whether that’s the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National at Aintree or anywhere else.

Does Sky Bet payout winnings quickly?

Officially, it can take up to 5 days of winnings to reach a bank account after a Sky Bet withdrawal.

However, customers that gamble using a Barclays or Nationwide debit card will enjoy the fruits of the ‘Fast Withdrawal’ service, meaning they could receive their winnings in mere hours.

Sky Bet claim to be working with other banks to extend this offer.

Is Sky Bet regulated?

Sky Bet, and all affiliated gambling partners, are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission under licence number 038718.

Does Sky Bet have a bet 10 get 40 offer?

Sky Bet doesn’t currently have a bet 10 get 40 offer.

This could change in the near future so keep a keen eye out for any new promotions they may announce.

Sometimes, you may even see some new promos added by Sky Bet for races such as The Cheltenham festival or Royal Ascot, for example.

Popular questions about Sky Bet include:

Does Sky Bet offer virtual horse racing?

Yes, virtual horse racing is among the many markets covered by Sky Bet.

If horses are not running in reality, you can still enjoy a day at the cyber-races.

Does Sky Bet Offer the Best Odds and Betting Offers?

Sky Bet does not offer the best odds but they are pretty good.

Some sites can offer you the best odds guaranteed, so make sure to check which sites offer the best odds guaranteed bonus to new customers.

If you’re experienced in online gambling and know which nooks and crannies of the internet host particularly desirable odds on a horse racing stake, you’ll likely find better.

The odds offered by Sky Bet are comparable, and sometimes favourable, to most mainstream betting sites though.

Can I play online casino games through Sky Bet?

You cannot play the online casinos through Sky Bet directly, but there are plenty of sister apps under the Sky banner that allows customers to play casino games.

These include Sky Casino, Sky Poker and Sky Bingo. Just be aware that, when it comes to gambling online, all Sky trademarks are owned and operated by CVC Capital Investments, making all of these third-party websites and apps.

What is Sky Bet Super 6?

Sky Bet Super 6 is predicting the correct result of 6 football matches.

If you enjoy betting on football, the Super 6 is highly popular. It’s free to enter, and if you correctly predict the scores of 6 football matches chosen by Sky Bet, you could win £25,000.

Final Thoughts about Sky Bet

If you’re a casual punter that is just looking for a little fun with an occasional flutter on the Grand National, Cheltenham Fetsival or a one-off event like a football match, Sky Bet is is easy to negotiate and offers a wide range of sports that you can bet on – both national and overseas. For such customers, Sky Bet is likely to meet any and all needs.

If you’re a seasoned punter that knows your runners and riders and is prone to making big profits on horse racing, however, there may be more attractive betting brands for you.

  • The Sky Bet website app and website are easy to negotiate.
  • Good betting odds can often be found, maximising the potential of a modest stake winning big
  • Sky Bet has strong in-play options if you want to change your bet mid-event to boost your chances of a win
  • Customer service is easy to connect to and discuss any concerns with
  • Not many on-going offers for existing customers

Also, read our guide to compare betting sites, if you need more information on what you should be looking out for.

If you are lucky enough to win on a bet check our top free betting calculator today.